So two years ago today, we bought our house here in NC. Can you believe it? We've been here two years already. Man the time has flown. We've loved our time here and hope for a few more years, if we can get it. So in honor of our two years, I've got a few things about the Charlotte area for you to enjoy.
1. Nascar. Have you heard of it? Well we weren't 'in the know' until we got here. OK, Nascar is huge here - just ask my boys; they'll tell you everything there is to know about it, including the numbers/details on each car. Ok, not just huge - it's crazy huge! There is one of the largest tracks only about 20 minutes from our house (which is totally cool to tour - they take you in a big 15 passenger van and go around the track at 100mph!!); they're building the Nascar hall of fame in uptown Charlotte; the majority of the racing teams are located right here in Charlotte - one of them just 4 minutes away from our house (Joe Gibb's racing: Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch...just to name a few) {yes, I knew those names by heart...come on, you hear all about them on the news!}. I have to say that one of the greatest things to see in this area is the die-hard Nascar fans. Especially those with mullets, jeans w/holes, nasty teeth (or none at all), and I can't forget - a t-shirt with a pic of their favorite driver on it; or even better, a jacket with the drivers pic. Classic move! Going to Walmart at 11pm at night is quite a sight - I swear it's where Nascar men and women come to mingle. I'm still trying to find a way to fit in to that crowd. ;) This pic is from last months Pole Night for the Coca Cola 600. Big stuff!
2. Barbeque. These North Carolinians sure like them some barbeque. Now coming from good 'ol San Antone, where Rudy's was King (or the 'worst bbq in Texas')...these guys got nothin' on bbq in my opinion. But they are totally different in taste. Texas has a ketchup-based bbq sauce. Whereas NC uses a vinegar-based sauce. And what's really crazy is the famous Carolina bbq sandwich: pulled pork with bbq sauce and coleslaw on top - all in a bun. What do you think of that?! I finally caved in and tried it once, and it was actually pretty darn good. They don't do creamed corn here, which is a total bummer - but they do hush puppies. Sorry, but there is just no replacement for Rudy's creamed corn. No replacement.
3. The accent. Classic, southern, sweet speaking. I love hearing these true southeners (or southEASTerners - with an emphasis on the EAST part) - they have a way of speaking. For example, my friend Amber, is from a little bitty town just south of Charlotte. She is the epitome of a southern girl. I love her. She says some things that will knock me to the floor rolling in laughter. Let me give you an example of a few words that these southern folks say - words that took me forever to understand! Ok, what word is this: OL (ohhhl) - no clue you say? Oil! What?! Yeah, I know. One great thing about these southerners is their hospitality. My mom just told me this morning that she tried calling me but dialed the wrong number. When a gentleman answered the phone, my Mom apologized for the mis-dialed number. The man on the other line was sweet, kind, SOUTHERN, and told her, "Oh don't you worry 'bout it ma'am...I do that all the time." How nice is that? I don't think I've been that nice even...shoot.
4. The Yellow House. 'Nuff said.
Sweet Carolina...oh how we love thee!
